Jose Cantu has been named Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. His tenure will begin November 1, 2022.
Cantu comes to UCCS from the University of Houston-Victoria, where he has served as the Vice President for Enrollment Management since 2019.
As UCCS’ inaugural Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, Cantu will be responsible for providing leadership and innovation in the creation of a new organization combining all aspects of enrollment management at UCCS; implementing proven and innovative strategies to attract and enroll students; and evaluating and improving the practices of the students’ experience.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jose to UCCS,” said Venkat Reddy, Chancellor of UCCS. “Throughout his career, Jose has been committed to engaging with his community, increasing the visibility of the institutions for which he works, and building prominence toward the overall goal of enrollment at the universities he’s served. The importance of this role for UCCS cannot be overstated, and I am looking forward to seeing the impact Jose will make.”
Cantu brings 29 years of successful higher education experience in recruitment operations, admissions processing, financial aid, registrar and records, campus solutions, marketing and communications, new student orientation, international programs, first year campuses and instruction and student success.
“I am truly excited about becoming part of the Mountain Lion family,” Cantu said. “The world of enrollment management has evolved throughout the years, putting many institutions in a position of becoming more innovative and creative with strategies that lend to the success of our students. We must continue to be innovative, creative, and strategic in how we manage enrollment for the health and future of our university. As the inaugural Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, I know there will be countless possibilities when it comes to the ability to continue growing enrollment through various collaborations and partnerships across campus and in our community. I look forward to our future together at UCCS!”
Cantu’s passion stems from his own personal college journey as a first-generation college student who had no guidance or direction. Upon graduating from University of Houston in 1995, he began his first job as a recruiter and learned quickly that he wasn’t the only one who experienced these impacts. This ultimately led to making his passion into a career dedicated to improving and supporting all students, from the recruitment cycle through graduation.
Cantu graduated from University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Technology and master’s degree in Training and Development. He continued his academic journey and graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University with a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies. Cantu’s research specializes in the psychology of personalities that impact leaders and their work outcomes.
He is a firm believer that people should always find a passion outside of work that will enable them to become a more balanced person and give back to our communities as much as possible. His favorite quote is “An enthusiast may bore others, but he never has a dull moment himself.”
A variety of UCCS community members served on the search committee, aided by the search firm William Spelman Executive Search. These individuals include:
- Martin Wood (Chair), Sr. Vice Chancellor of University Advancement
- Axel Brown, Student Representative
- Mathew Cox, Senior Executive Director, Enrollment Management
- Brett Fugate, Academic Services Director
- Kimberly Guyer, Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs
- Nancy Hernandez, Pre-Collegiate Center Director
- Robyn Marschke, Director of Institutional Research
- David Moon, Professor of Political Science with Tenure, School of Public Affairs/Faculty Assembly President (AY21/22)
- Seth Porter, Dean, Kraemer Family Library
- Enid Ruiz-Mattei, Director of Campus Finance & Resource Planning, Office of Budget & Planning
- Susan Taylor, Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning/Professor of English
- Chris Valentine, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Marketing & Communications
- Greg Williams, OIT Director of Operations
Staffing support was provided by Greg Krems, University Advancement.